He was a candidate for the Liberal nomination in the federal riding in 2006, but did not win. Case also put his name forward as a potential candidate for the federal Liberals in the neighbouring riding of Sarnia-Lambton in 2015, though he withdrew before officially entering the race.

But Case said he has been a “card-carrying member” of the Ontario NDP over the last two provincial elections.

“That’s where I align provincially in my politics, with the provincial NDP,” he said Thursday. “I can understand where that causes a little bit of confusion for people.”

Case, who is mayor of a municipality with roughly 4,000 people, said the focus of his campaign will be how small-town concerns need to be heard from Queen’s Park.

“There’s a huge disconnect right now with this Liberal government and small town rural Ontario,” he said. “I really do think that there just has to be more communication back and forth (and) a better understanding of what happens in communities like ours.”

The first-time provincial candidate has been outspoken on several issues with implications at the provincial level.

He has criticized changes in the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund. He said his municipality once received $1.4 million annually through this program, but now only takes in about $700,000.

“That grant was historically set up to help offset costly policing and fire and things like that,” said Case. “It literally represents a huge, huge potential tax increase to find those dollars.”

Case and his council have also been unwilling hosts to wind turbine projects and he said the problem lies with Ontario’s Green Energy Act.

The main issue is the province took planning out of the hands of municipalities, said Case, who also served as Lambton County’s warden from 2003-04 and 2013-14.

A proponent of natural gas expansion, he said it’s been a positive sign companies like Union Gas and Enbridge have started taking on these projects.

“Our farmers, our rural people, with the cost of hydro, it would be a huge, huge plus for them to have that natural gas,” he said. “But it doesn’t come cheap and we need the backing of a provincial government to do that.”

Case said there has been a lack of consultation from the province on issues like the sale of recreational marijuana, which he said has left more questions than answers.

If elected, he said he would hold town hall meetings in “all four corners” of the riding to find out what constituents think is or is not working about provincial programs.

The Ontario NDP’s Pharmacare proposal would be “a huge benefit to our aging population that’s really in need for some assistance when it comes to being able to make sure they get the medication they need,” said Case.

Party leader Andrea Horwath visited the nomination meeting in Strathroy. She said in a statement Case wants to give families in southwestern Ontario more services and a more affordable life.

“Todd has a record of fighting for what the people in his community need – whether that’s good local schools, investment in local small businesses, lower hydro bills or health care that families can count on,” she said.

Progressive Conservative MPP Monte McNaughton has held the riding for the last two elections. NDP candidate Joe Hill placed second in 2014, but trailed McNaughton by 18.65 per cent of the vote.

The Liberals have not yet named a candidate in Lambton-Kent-Middlesex.